Senior Database Engineer

Senior Database Engineer – Database Management Location: 1200 New Jersey Ave SE, Washington, DC 20590 Work Arrangement: 100% Onsite (DOT HQ) Clearance: Public Trust (U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder; 3+ years U.S. residency) Contract: 6 months with possible extension Start Date: 1/19/2026 Hours: 40 hrs/week, standard schedule Client: DOT (via Leidos) Role Overview The Senior Database Engineer is responsible for installing, configuring, securing, and optimizing enterprise database systems across Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, MySQL, and PostgreSQL platforms. This position ensures high availability, performance, scalability, and reliability of mission-critical data platforms—both on-premises and in cloud environments. The role also supports database architecture planning, automation initiatives, and mentoring junior DBAs. Key Responsibilities Core Administration & Configuration • Install and configure Microsoft SQL Server (SSMS, SSRS, SSIS, SSAS) and Oracle databases. • Set up new servers, databases, and related infrastructure across on-prem, VMware, and Azure (IaaS/PaaS). • Manage SQL Server clustering, Always-On availability groups, replication, and high-availability solutions. • Deploy and manage Azure Managed Instances and Azure SQL databases. Maintenance, Performance & Security • Conduct routine maintenance: index rebuilds, statistics updates, and consistency checks. • Tune SQL performance, analyze execution plans, and troubleshoot slow queries or deadlocks. • Use monitoring tools: SQL Profiler, Extended Events, Performance Monitor, OEM, custom shell scripts. • Implement database security practices, including TDE, SQL STIG/Oracle STIG compliance, auditing, and access provisioning. • Maintain documentation for environments, configurations, changes, and performance metrics. Upgrades, Migrations & DR • Execute patches, upgrades, and migrations (including on-prem to Azure). • Configure and troubleshoot mirroring, log shipping, and transaction replication. • Manage RMAN backups, Oracle Data Guard, and Oracle RAC setups (including RAC on Windows). • Support DR testing and provide recommendations for continuity planning. Additional Responsibilities • Support 24×7 operations (participate in on-call rotation). • Participate in mandatory monthly database patching. • Coordinate with development, DevOps, and infrastructure teams to streamline deployments and operations. Required Qualifications • BS degree with 8–12 years of experience or MS with 6–10 years; expert-level knowledge of DBMS principles. • Certifications: Oracle and SQL Server. • Strong expertise with SQL Server (2012–2022) and Oracle databases across Linux, Windows, VMware, Azure. • Advanced skills in: • SQL clusters, Always-On, high availability • On-prem to Azure migration • TDE, SQL STIG compliance • Oracle RAC, OEM, RMAN, Data Guard • Linux shell scripting • AWS RDS and EC2 database operations • Proven ability to diagnose performance issues, optimize queries, and maintain enterprise-scale systems. • Experience with DR testing and on-call support tasks. Preferred Qualifications • Experience in 24×7 production support environments. • Hands-on experience administering SQL Server and Oracle databases across hybrid and cloud infrastructures. • Expertise configuring: • SSRS, database mail, service packs, Windows Server patches • Mirroring, log shipping, replication • OEM monitoring, custom shell scripts, Oracle quarterly patches • Strong understanding of AWS cloud concepts for DBA workloads. • Ability to implement least-privilege security for database users. • Team-oriented, proactive, and comfortable handling mission-critical workloads. Additional Notes • No telework or remote option (onsite only). • No driving, international travel, or PHI access required. • Public Trust required; interim clearance not accepted.